Herstmonceux agreement is accepted by RAS

Royal Astronomical Society and Herstmonceux Observatory Secure New Lease

In a significant development for the scientific community, the Observatory Science Centre at Herstmonceux in East Sussex has secured a new 10-year lease, ensuring its continued operation until at least 2036. This decision comes after initial concerns that the lease would not be extended beyond 2026.

The Observatory Science Centre, a charitable organisation, welcomes approximately 60,000 visitors annually and plays a crucial role in promoting the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics, and related branches of science. The Centre's lease renewal was made possible through the efforts of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which secured the involvement in the new lease.

The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, has been at the forefront of this campaign to preserve the historical site. The RAS represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally, and its more than 4,000 members, a third of whom are based overseas, have shown their support for the cause. Notable signatories include Dr Matthew Evans, spokesperson for Bader College and Provost of Queen's University, Canada, who expressed his excitement about the joint ambition to preserve and enhance the unique site.

Herstmonceux Observatory, owned by Queen's University in Canada since 1993, houses some of the UK's most historic telescopes. The RAS, through its extensive library and educational grants and outreach activities, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy. The Observatory Science Centre also contributes to this mission, fostering a love for the cosmos among its visitors.

The RAS operates based on a principle of peer review, accepting papers for its international research and review journals. It also organises scientific meetings and awards medals and prizes for outstanding achievements in the field. The RAS can be followed on various social media platforms, including Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Members of the Campaign Save Herstmonceux Observatory Science Centre hope to have the lease extended to between 50 and 100 years. Abbie Rumbold, chief executive of Science Projects, is looking forward to developing new visitor experiences at The Observatory Science Centre. With the lease renewal, the Centre is set to continue its mission of inspiring and educating the public about the wonders of the universe for decades to come.